Risen indeed?

04.06.21 –I Am The Resurrection! – Mark 16:15

My friend, may I ask you a question? God often asks us to believe in some things that others find difficult to understand–even impossible to believe. How should we react?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

A young man came to my door the other day peddling cookies and other treats that would benefit his elementary school. He was one of the most persuasive young men I’ve ever faced. When I opened my door he stood there with a broad smile across his face and his product prominently displays right before my eyes. This young man had been trained and trained well. While I’m not uncharitable, I do set for myself a policy that I have abided by for many years: Two door-to- door charities and after that–no more until next year. For a moment he was very convincing and I’d come as close as ever to abandoning my policy. But, in the end, my self-imposed limits prevailed and he walked away without a sale.

I believe in setting limits when it comes to how much I give to those who come door-to-door. It isn’t always easy to do so and others might think me stingy, but I feel it is good stewardship. Similarly, God often asks us to believe in some things that others find difficult to understand–even impossible to believe.

Here’s a story: Dr. George Sweeting tells of an incident in the early 1920s when Communist leader Nikolai Bukharin was sent from Moscow to Kiev to address an anti-God rally. For an hour he abused and ridiculed the Christian faith until it seemed as if the whole structure of belief was in ruins. Then questions were invited. An Orthodox Church priest rose and asked to speak. He turned, faced the people, and gave the Easter greeting, “He is risen!” Instantly the assembly rose to its feet and the reply came back loud and clear, “He is arisen indeed!” (Selected)

The Bible calls it “good news:” many call it merely a fantasy. To believe that after this life another life awaits us, a life so much more fulfilling and wonderful that it will make this one seem insignificant, even trivial, seems foolish to the world. Then add that the body we go to the grave with will be resurrected in a new and perfected state, and you’ve got something that can only be believed by faith. It’s that incredible! As Christians, God is calling us to believe it; and, not only believe it but convince others that it’s true. That requires a discipline that flies in the face of conventional wisdom. It requires us to set the limits of our unbelief at some small level and stick to it. Impossible? Indeed–but believe it.

We pray. Heavenly Father, to believe heaven awaits us, a life so much more fulfilling and wonderful that it will make this one seem insignificant, even trivial, seems foolish to a world in love with itself and bent on removing You from it. Then add that the body we go to the grave with will be resurrected in a new and perfected state, and you’ve got something that can only be believed by faith. Forgive us Father when we fall prey to doubt and rationalism concerning Your eternal plan for Your elect. As Christians, You call us to believe it; and, not only believe it but convince others it’s true. That requires a discipline that flies in the face of conventional wisdom, requiring Your Holy Spirit to work faith within us. It requires us to set the limits of our unbelief at some small level and stick to it. Impossible? Indeed–but believe it. He is risen, He is risen indeed! In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Risen indeed?

04.06.21 –I Am The Resurrection! – Mark 16:15

My friend, may I ask you a question? God often asks us to believe in some things that others find difficult to understand–even impossible to believe. How should we react?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

A young man came to my door the other day peddling cookies and other treats that would benefit his elementary school. He was one of the most persuasive young men I’ve ever faced. When I opened my door he stood there with a broad smile across his face and his product prominently displays right before my eyes. This young man had been trained and trained well. While I’m not uncharitable, I do set for myself a policy that I have abided by for many years: Two door-to- door charities and after that–no more until next year. For a moment he was very convincing and I’d come as close as ever to abandoning my policy. But, in the end, my self-imposed limits prevailed and he walked away without a sale.

I believe in setting limits when it comes to how much I give to those who come door-to-door. It isn’t always easy to do so and others might think me stingy, but I feel it is good stewardship. Similarly, God often asks us to believe in some things that others find difficult to understand–even impossible to believe.

Here’s a story: Dr. George Sweeting tells of an incident in the early 1920s when Communist leader Nikolai Bukharin was sent from Moscow to Kiev to address an anti-God rally. For an hour he abused and ridiculed the Christian faith until it seemed as if the whole structure of belief was in ruins. Then questions were invited. An Orthodox Church priest rose and asked to speak. He turned, faced the people, and gave the Easter greeting, “He is risen!” Instantly the assembly rose to its feet and the reply came back loud and clear, “He is arisen indeed!” (Selected)

The Bible calls it “good news:” many call it merely a fantasy. To believe that after this life another life awaits us, a life so much more fulfilling and wonderful that it will make this one seem insignificant, even trivial, seems foolish to the world. Then add that the body we go to the grave with will be resurrected in a new and perfected state, and you’ve got something that can only be believed by faith. It’s that incredible! As Christians, God is calling us to believe it; and, not only believe it but convince others that it’s true. That requires a discipline that flies in the face of conventional wisdom. It requires us to set the limits of our unbelief at some small level and stick to it. Impossible? Indeed–but believe it.

We pray. Heavenly Father, to believe heaven awaits us, a life so much more fulfilling and wonderful that it will make this one seem insignificant, even trivial, seems foolish to a world in love with itself and bent on removing You from it. Then add that the body we go to the grave with will be resurrected in a new and perfected state, and you’ve got something that can only be believed by faith. Forgive us Father when we fall prey to doubt and rationalism concerning Your eternal plan for Your elect. As Christians, You call us to believe it; and, not only believe it but convince others it’s true. That requires a discipline that flies in the face of conventional wisdom, requiring Your Holy Spirit to work faith within us. It requires us to set the limits of our unbelief at some small level and stick to it. Impossible? Indeed–but believe it. He is risen, He is risen indeed! In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.